Disclaimer: I do not own Moonlight. But I still like to play with their characters so I will.

Thanks to all who have been reading and especially reviewing. I look forward to your comments. It makes the writing process more like sharing.

Chapter 10

"Are you afraid of me Detective?" Tyson asked as he felt her discomfort. She did not give off any scent of fear but he could read her mistrust of him. Her heart rate had picked up as he moved closer.

"Afraid? No. But you're a little too smooth," Savannah answered and took a step back and away. She turned and saw the painting on the wall. The haunting quality of the water color touched her and she stopped cold.

"What a wonderful painting. There is something beautiful about the bayou at night, isn't there?" she breathed.

"I've always thought so," Tyson agreed once more standing close beside her.

Savannah flinched slightly, the painting's spell broken.

"You know Mr. Leggett; I think I would like to speak to Mr. Kostan."

"Please call me Tyson. Mr. Leggett is too formal," he said.

Savannah moved again trying to put some distance between her and Tyson. He shadowed her moves and looking up at him Savannah found she was lost in his gaze. Trying not to panic she found her self-control slipping.

"Hey Tyson, Rayna wants……." Mick stopped in the doorway taking in the scene before him. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."

"No interruption Mick," Tyson said taking a step away from Savannah. "Let me introduce Savannah Lowe, one of NOPD's finest."

"Det. Lowe," Mick acknowledged. "I'm Mick St. John."

"Yes, the PI from Los Angeles," Savannah said finding her voice. "I hoped to speak to you and Mr. Kostan."

"Now?" Mick asked. "We were just planning to explore Bourbon Street. Rayna has Beth all excited about the French Quarter." He wasn't about to tell her they planned on touching base with a few of Tyson's contacts. And Logan had texted a name of an on-line buddy of his who was good at keeping his ears open. Mick could read the way Tyson was looking at the woman and it didn't take an investigator to see he was interested in her. Det. Lowe was certainly not immune to Tyson by her involuntary reactions. "Why don't you join us if you are not on duty?"



"I'm not, but I couldn't," she protested.

"Join us Detective. Have you had a chance to do Bourbon Street since you got here?" Tyson pounced on the idea. "You can speak with Josef and Mick. Why not mix a little pleasure in with your work?"

"I shouldn't."

"Perhaps you really are afraid," Tyson teased.

"Don't bully her Tyson," Mick said. He smiled at Savannah. "We don't need to pressure her."

Savannah thought about the offer. She had been all work since arriving in the city and some time off for fun would be welcome. She couldn't deny that she felt an attraction to Tyson. Why not go out with the group, she could question St. John and Kostan in an informal manner.

"It might be fun. Yes, I'd like to go with you," she decided.

"I'll tell the others," Mick said hurrying out of the room.

Tyson studied her closely. She was dressed in black slacks, a pale gold shirt and a dark forest green jacket. A very delectable package he decided except for one thing. With a quick practiced move he reached out and pulled the hair tie out that held her hair in a ponytail. Savannah's dark eyes flashed at him.

"Now you are ready for Bourbon Street," he said smugly.

"Mr. ….."

"Tyson."

"Okay Tyson, you like to be in charge, don't you?"

"Yes Savannah, I do," Tyson grinned. "I confess I like the thought of going out on the town with you. You are lovely I'd be a fool not to want to get to know you better."

Savannah found his grin hard to resist.

"You are dangerous Tyson Leggett. I'm going to have to keep a close eye on you," she declared.

"I'm okay with that," he said with a smirk.

Savannah stepped further away and ran her fingers through her hair. It fell in dark waves around her face, softening her appearance. Tyson felt a little shaken looking at her. He couldn't believe a human could make him react this way. The others showing up saved him from his own strong reaction to her.

Savannah had always heard that Los Angeles was where the beautiful people lived. Frankly she had written it off as hype. These four were enough to make her a believer.



Josef Kostan was handsome and looked too young to have built a business empire that was Kostan Industries. But his bio made no mention that he inherited his wealth. He alone of the four did not appear to be happy that she was included in the group. Rayna Kameron was striking in her paleness and strangely familiar. Savannah remembered watching Beth Turner on Buzz Wire a few years back. She had enjoyed the lovely enthusiastic reporter who was so close to her age. And she couldn't have helped noticing the gorgeous PI who she had met earlier. In fact, including Tyson, there was a certain air about all five of them. This could prove to be an entertaining evening.

They walked down Bourbon Street, into the heart of the French Quarter. Mick and Beth strolled ahead hand in hand, caught up in each other. Josef and Rayna were just ahead of Savannah, arms around each other's waists, Rayna was talking non-stop. Tyson kept pace with Savannah, not touching but she could feel his closeness.

"Do you like New Orleans?" he asked.

"Oh yes. I came here several times with my father when I was younger. And I like my job," Savannah replied.

"Is that what defines you cher? The job?" Tyson asked curiously.

"No, of course not. But I'm a good cop. I earned this position," she said passionately.

"Calm down sugar. I never said you weren't. But it appears to me that there's more to you than a badge," Tyson tried to explain.

Rayna looked back at them.

"Let's start at Pat O'Brien's," she announced. "I think that Savannah needs a Hurricane."

"Personally I prefer a Shillelagh," Savannah grinned thinking of the rum, crème de menthe and 7 up combination.

"A Shillelagh it is," Tyson agreed and they headed to the famous bar.

It was a quiet week night for the French Quarter. The three couples found a table in the court yard near the fountain. Josef continued to scowl in Savannah's direction.

"Just why are you angry with me Mr. Kostan?" Savannah asked directly.

"He's not angry," Rayna told her. "He just doesn't like being on the suspect list."

"Who said I had him on the suspect list?" she bristled. All eyes centered on her.

"Lacey Gresham worked for me as a caterer," Josef said using the cover story they had created when Lacey first disappeared. "She handled the numerous parties that I hold. We do not know if she left LA willingly and since she's dead it's possible she did not. If this was aimed at my company I need to make 

sure my other employees are not in danger," he finished, feigning anger. "I take threats to my company seriously."

"I understand Mr. Kostan. I may have wondered why you came all the way here but you are not on my suspect list," Savannah said calmly. "I assure you I intend to find the person who killed Lacey."

Josef considered what she said. He wasn't sure how they were going to keep this tenacious cop from getting to the truth. He didn't want to have to fend her off while taking on Maurico. But Josef did have to admire her dedication and he knew that making an enemy of her would not help either. They would have to keep her close to know what she learned and block her from the truth. He gave her his most charming smile.

"I'm sorry Detective, I am unaccustomed to having my motives questioned," he said smoothly.

"Please make it Savannah. I'm off duty."

"See, we can be friendly," Rayna beamed.

Savannah found it hard to shake the feeling she knew Rayna from somewhere. She knew it wasn't job related but she had seen her photo recently.

Rayna sensed the puzzlement rolling off Savannah.

"What is bothering you Savannah?" Rayna asked sipping her vodka on the rocks.

"This will sound stupid, but I know I've seen your picture before."

"Do you have a wanted flyer out on you love?" Josef teased Rayna.

"No, not through work," Savannah quickly corrected.

"Do you like to read Savannah?" Beth giggled.

"When I have time…."she began, and then stopped. It made sense now. She had read "Chicago Madam" just last month. "R.K. Fitzgerald?"

"Do you like my work?" Rayna asked with a smile.

"Your books are great. But you look so young to have written all those books."

"Good genes," Rayna said with a wink. "I'm older than I look."

Beth almost choked on her drink. She was so glad that she had been turned at thirty. This way she was less likely to have to answer the awkward questions that the youthful Rayna and Josef did.

"I'm actually doing a final check with my sources for my latest book. It is set here in New Orleans. It's almost ready to go to my publisher. I bullied Josef into bringing me along," Rayna explained.



Savannah was sure Rayna didn't have to bully Josef into anything. The man appeared to be crazy about her.

"So, I won't have to have my lawyers arrange bail for anything? This is good to know," Josef quipped. Rayna smacked him lightly on the shoulder.

Savannah turned to Beth.

"I miss you on Buzz Wire. It's so tabloid now, I can't watch," she observed.

"That's why I left," Beth confirmed. "I'm at loose ends right now so I tagged along with Mick." She smiled sweetly up at Mick. The closeness of the couple was clear to the homicide detective and she was a little envious of their relationship. Police work for a woman did not always allow for romantic involvements.

"Can't say no to either of these ladies," Josef sighed. "I would never have gotten out of Los Angeles without Rayna."

"And he wouldn't have wanted to," Mick added grinning.

End chapter.

A little fun in the French Quarter is vital in this story. They will get to more sleuthing soon. But now they have to figure how to keep Savannah from digging too deep and learning their secret. I ask you for your reviews. Feedback please.